Cable grip or the like



E. E. KELLEMS 2,143,985

Jan. 17, 1939.

CABLE GRIP OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 18, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet TTORNEYS Jan. 17, 1939. E E, K LLEMS; 2,143,985

- CABLE GRIP. OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 18, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INYENTOR TTORNEYS Patented Jan. 17, 1939 TED @ABLE GRIP R THE LIKE Edgar. E. Kellems, New York, N. Y., assignor to Kellems Products, Inc.,.l lew York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September It, 1936, Serial No. 101,528

' 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a cable grip involving the use of an open mesh woven wire tube and a draft head rigidly secured to one end thereof and refers more particularly to the draft head and to the method of applying the same to the end of the woven wire tube.

In grips of this character, the wire strands are usually interwoven spirally around a common axis from end to end so as to cross each other diagonallmand the main object of the present invention is to cast the draft head around and upon one end of the woven wire tube in such manner that the crossing portions of the strands at that end will be imbedded and concealed with- 5 in the draft head diagonally to the line' of draft and thereby to secure a stronger and more re-' liable connection between the draft head and woven wire tube than has heretofore been practised.

another object -is to provide the draft head with a central lengthwise opening and a draft bolt journaled therein and operatively connected thereto for drawing the grip and object to which it is attached endwise and at the same time permitting relative rotation of the draft head and bolt.

a further object is to enable two gripping devices to be swivel-connected to each other end to end for relative rotation by one and the same draft bolt as for example, when replacing old elevator cables with new ones which latter are usually unwound from a reel thereby causing more. or less relative rotary motion of the two cables. to

parts of the device or different steps in the process of applying the head to the woven wire tube will be brought out in the following description.

in the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pair of cable grips provided with my improved draft heads connected to each other bya draft'bolt.

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the adjacent ends of the gripping Other objects-and uses relating to specific one end of one of the cable grips together with an eye attached to the outer end of the draft bolt which is swiveled in the head.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a solid cast metal draft head with the adjacent ends of the strands 5 of the woven wire tube imbedded therein in which the head is provided with an integral draft eye.

Figure 7 is a face view of my improved draft head for woven wire grips as used in connection with an electric plug.

Figure 8 is a side view, partly in section, of the device shown inFigure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one end of the gripping device shown in Figure 7, having an oval head.

Figure 10 is' a perspective view similar to Figure 9 showing an angular head.

Figure 11 is a face view similar to Figure 'l in which both ends of the woven wire grip is provided with heads cast thereon.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, each gripping device comprises an open mesh woven wire tube l and a cast metal head 2 in which thestrands of one end of the woven wire tube I are imbedded during the process of moulding in a manner presently described.

The woven wire tube l is similar in some respects to that shown in my Patent No. 1,670,543, May 22, 1928, in that the strands areinterwoven spirally around a common axis in such manner that those of the cable-receiving end of the tube are returned toward its opposite end to form a series of loops in uniformly spaced relation about said axis, while the remaining portions of the strands cross each other diagonally with'reference to the line of draft but instead of bunching the draft ends of the strands they are cut off in a plane at substantially right angles to the axis of the tube so that the draft end of the latter 40 maintains its normal diameter, depending somewhat upon'the size-of the mandrel upon which the tube is woven and also upon the size of the object to which the gripping device is to be ap- In other words, the mere act of extending the main body of the cablegrip endwise causes the strands to contract upon the cable with increasing force proportionate to the force of draft applied to the head 2.

As previously stated, the draft head 2 is made of cast metal, preferably of non-corrodible character, such for example as aluminum alloy of a hard nature when cooled but capable of being injected into the mould by any suitable die moulding apparatus when molten.

In Figure 4 I have shown a mould consisting of separable sections 3 and 4 and a core section supported centrally within the mould and having one end provided with an enlarged head or flange 6. This mould is provided with a cylindrical chamber 1 of slightly greater diameter than the adjacent end of the woven wire tube l and of sufficient length to receive a limited number of the crossing portions of the strands at the corresponding end of the tube.

'One end of the mould is provided with a circular opening 9 of about the same diameter as the external diameter of the adjacent portion 1 tion of of the woven wire tube so that its walls may engage the outer periphery of the tube. The head or flange 6. of the core section 5 is also circular and of about the same diam eter as the interior diameter of the woven wire tube to closely engage the same while the remaining reduced portions of the core section 5 are preferably cylindrical and of appreciably less diameter than the interior diameter of the adjacent portion of said tube for forming a central opening as 8 in the draft head 2.

The reduced cylindrical portion of the core section 5 extends through a corresponding opening 9' in the adjacent end of the mould to effectively close the same and thereby to prevent the escape of the molten'metal therethrough when the core is in place, the upper section of the mould being provided with an inlet sprue Iii through which the molten metal may be introduced into the chamber i.

When preparing to cast the head 2, thecore section 5 is first inserted into the adjacent end of the woven wire tube l a distance corresponding approximatelyto the length of the chamber I after which the end of the woven wire tube with the core section 5 therein is placed in position within the mould, as shown in Figure 4, so that the flange 6 will be disposed in approximately the sa e transverse plane as the adjacent .end walls 0 the chamber 7, while the reduced porthe core section Swill extend through the opening 9' and preferably beyond the outer end wall of the mould.

Under these conditions, it isobvious that the crossing portions of the wire strands within the mould chamber 1 will beheld in spaced relation to the peripheral walls of said chamber and also in spaced relation to the core so that when the molten metal is, introduced into the chamber it will surround the crossing strands of the adjacent end of the woven wire tube to form a rigid and permanent connection between the draft head and wciven wire tube when the molten metal hardens.

During this casting of the draft head 2 within the mould, it is evident that certain portions of the strands between the periphery of the flange 6 and'adjacent end wall of the mould sections 3 and 4 will be spaced apart, thereby allowing corresponding portions as H of the molten metal to pass into said spaces between the periphery of the flange 6 and adjacent end wall surrounding the .opening 9 of the chamber I, thus forming an annular recess l2 in the adjacent end of the draft head for a purpose presently described.

It will be noted, however, that the amount of molten metal passing through the space between the periphery of the flange 6 and adjacent end wall surrounding the opening 9 of the chamber 1 and through the adjacent openings between the strands is negligible and does not in any way interfere with the perfect casting ofthe cylindrical draft head 2 within the mould and around and upon the enclosed wire strands which cross each other within the chamber l.

When the draft head is cast in the manner described upon and around the enclosed end of the woven wire tube, all portions including the cross:

ing portions of the enclosed strands, will berigidly imbedded in the casting and that owing to the diagonal disposition of the strands within the mold during the casting operations, it is evident that when the metal has cooled it will be practicaly impossible to separate the head from the woven wire tube without breaking the wires which, of course, are made tozwithstand the strains to which they may be subjected, it being understood that each strand is generally made of two or more smaller strandseach composed of a relatively large number of finer wires twisted upon each other to give the desired strength and elastic flexibility.

In Figure 3 is shown a sectional development of the cast metal drafthead with the crossing portions of the wire strands of the adjacent end of the woven wire tube imbedded therein during the casting process, thus showing that the imbedded portions of the strands are diagonal to the line of draft which greatly increases the resistance to automatically return to their normal positions when the axial pressure is relieved.

A hardened metal bearing washer B3 of about the same size and-form as the head or flange 6 of the core 5 is inserted in the recess l2 in the outer end of the head 2. I

A draft bolt It is passed through the central opening 8 of the head 2 and is also extended through the washer l3 and provided with a head !5 for engaging said washer, said bolt being extended some distance beyond the outer end of the head for receiving and supporting a similar head 2 of another gripping device, another washer l3 and a nut l6, whereby both gripping devices may be relati ely rotatable upon the draft bolt i l, as shown in igures 1 and 2.

. 65. The assembly of the coupling shown in these Figures 1 and 2 is effected by placing the head It can be screwed onto the threaded end of the bolt.

In case the bolt is used to connect the adjacent heads of two gripping devices, both heads will be identical in that they are cast in the same mold and each head will be provided with the annular recess 1! 2 for receiving a washer I3, the bolt being provided with a.nut or head I6 threaded thereon for holding the heads of both gripping devices against axial displacement, see Figures 1 and 2.

When two gripping devices are swivel-connected to a common swivel bolt' l6, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, one gripping device may be attached to one cable and the other to another cable to form a continuation-coupling for said cables to be used inreplacing elevator cables and analogous uses where it is desired to use one grip on one object for drawing another cable or object endwise, it being understood that when the work is completed both grips may be detached from their respective objects and reused in other rela-' tions.

When a single gripping device is to be used, to draw a cable or other object endwise, an eye nut or similar .draft member Il may be screwed upon the outer end of the bolt l4 and held against rotation relatively to the bolt by means of a key pin it so that the draft head 2 and draft bolt l4 may rotate relatively to each other in which case a rope or cable may be attached to the eye IT for drawing the cable and object engaged thereby endwise.

In Figure 6, I have shown the head 2 as cast solidly around and upon the crossing strands on one end of the woven wire tube and provided with an integral draft eye or loop H for receiving a draft cable whereby the gripping device and object engaged thereby may be drawn endwise.

In all of these devices, it will be notedthat the draft heads are of only slightly greater diameter than the external diameter of the woven wire tubes which in turn, are of only slightly greater diameter than the cable or other object engaged thereby, thus permitting the gripping device or devices to be used individually or jointly as continuations or couplings of the cable to enable the draft heads to be drawn through any openingcapable of receiving the woven wire tube or, to be drawn around drums or pulleys, as for example when replacing elevator cables and the like from a reel to a drum.

The important feature of the invention, however, is toestablish a .rigid and permanent connection between the draft head and one end of the woven wire tube in such manner that the strands of the tube are imbedded in the head diagonal to the line of draft of the gripping device, but obviously the mold inwhich the draft heads are cast may be varied and other changes made in the detail construction of the head without departing from the spirit of the invention.

When the head 2 is cast upon the ends of the woven wire tube within the mold and properly hardened by cooling, the molds are separated to release the head therefrom, thus permitting the withdrawal of the woven wire tube with the head cast thereon together with the core 5 which may then be driven endwise into the woven wire tube and displaced from the other end thereof for reuse in casting other hea'ds in the same'mold.

In Figures 7 to 11 inclusive, I have shown my invention as applied to an electric plug and an electric cable attached to the terminals thereof for holding the plug and cable against relative separation and also for relieving connections between the cable and terminals from excessive strains resulting from endwise pull upon the plug or cable.

This device is particularly useful in connection with any electriccable carrying a plug at one or both ends adapted to be frequently attached to and removed from sockets of various electrical fixtures such as sadirons and the like and also for wall plugs and similar uses Where the connections between the cable and plug are subjected to more or less severe endwise strains tending to. loosen or break said connections.

The plug as 28 is of standard make and is preferably composed of opposite sections 2| and 2| secured together face to face by means of one or more clamping bolts 22 and having their meeting sides provided with suitable recesses for receiving electric terminals, not shown, said sections being provided near one end with opposed registering recesses 23 and 23 and a central opening 2 4, the latter serving to receive one end of an electric cable 25.

The Wires of this cable are preferably encased in a flexible insulating material and are attached at one end to the electric terminals in the usual manner not necessary to herein illustrate or describe.

Suitable means is provided for holding the cable and plug against relative endwise separation and thereby to relieve the binding connections between the wires and terminals of the plug from excessive strains resulting from pulling the plug from the socket by means of the cable or other cause for such strains.

For this purpose, I have provided a woven wire tube I similar to that previously described in that the wire strands of at least one end of the woven wire tube are incorporated in a cast metal head 26 of substantially the same form and size as the combined grooves 23 in the plug 20 when the sections thereof are clamped together.

This cast metal head 26 is provided with a central opening for receiving the adjacent end of the cable 25, the opening and cable being of approximately the same diameter to allow the cable to be easily inserted therethrough, as shown in Figures 7 and: 8.

The woven wire tubel with its cast metal head 26 is placed over and upon the adjacent portion of the cable 25 in such manner that when the tube is extended endwise under its own tension it will automatically tighten upon the cable.

When assembling the plug' upon the adjacent end of the cable with the sections thereof separated, the wires in the cable will be attached in the usual manner to the terminals of the plug while the head 26 will be seated in the groove 23 of one of the plug sections. The other section is v then placed in position to cause the head to enter endwise to remove the plug from its socket with-- out in any way overstraining the connections of the cable wires with the plug terminals.

The head 26 may be oblong as shown at 25. in Figure 9, or angular as shown at 26" in Figure 10, the object of which is to prevent relative turning of the woven wire tube and plug when the head is fastened in place between the opposite sections of the plug.

In Figure 11, I have shown the outer end of the woven wire tube l" as provided with a cast metal head 2'! similar to the head 26 in that the adjacent ends of the wire strands are incorporated thereon during the process of casting.

This head 21 in addition to the main body of the woven wire tube serves as a handle by which the plug may be withdrawn from the socket without overstraining any of the wire connections with the terminals of the socket.

It is evident, however, that this device may be used in many other relations with slight alterations within the scope of the present invention.

What I claim is:-'

1. A cable-grip comprising a cast-metal drafthead having a central lengthwise opening therethrough, a woven-wire tube having one end imbedded in the draft-head between the inner and outer surfaces thereof so that the individual wires of the tube are completely enveloped therein, and a draft-member rotatably mounted in said opening.

2. A cable grip comprising a. tubular drafthead, an open-mesh woven-wire tube having one end imbedded in the head between the inner and outer surfaces thereof so that the individual wires of the tube are completely enveloped therein, and a draft-member journaled in said head.

3. A cable grip comprising opposed co-axial and relatively rotatable draft heads having alined central openings, a bolt connecting said heads and swiveled in at least one of said openings to peramaees mit relative turning of the heads, and opposite open-mesh wire-strand tubes each having one end imbedded in the corresponding head between the inner and outer surfaces thereof so that the individual wires of the tube are completely enveloped therein.

4. A cable grip comprising a tubular drafthead having an annular recess in one end, woven wire tube having the crossing strands of one end imbedded in said head so that the individual wires of the tube are completely enveloped therein, a bearing ring seated in said recess within the adjacent portion of the woven-wire tube, and a draft-member passed through the draft-head and engaged with said ring.

5. A cable grip comprising a tubular draft-- head, a woven-wire tube having one end imbedded in said draft-head so that the individual wires of the tube are completely enveloped therein, a bearing-ring within said end and engaging the inner end of the draft-head, and a draft-bolt engaging said ring and extended outwardly through the draft-head.

6. A cable grip comprising opposed co-axial and relatively rotatable draft heads having alined central openings, washers seated against the outer ends of the heads, and a bolt passed through both heads and washers and having its opposite ends provided with heads engaging the adjacent washers, said heads and bolts being relatively rotatable, and a woven expansible and contractible tubular gripping member connected with each head, and each having an end embedded therein.

EDGAR E. KELLEMS. 

